Variable-speed mechanism.



PATENTBD JAN. 28, 1908.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 28. 1907.

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No. 877,491. PATENTED JAN. 28, 1908.

T. 0. DILL.

VARIABLE SPEED MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED J. as. 1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET: 2.

THOMAS C. DILIQ, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

VARIABLE-SPEED MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 28, 1908.

Application filed January 28- 1907- Serial No. 354518.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS C. DILL, a citizen of the United States,residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented certainimprovements in Variable-Speed Mechanism, of which the following 1s aspecification. 4

One object of my invention is to provide an eilicient, simple, andinexpensive device for transmitting relatively large amounts of powerfrom a driving to a driven shaft; the construction being such that saiddevice may be adjusted to vary the speedof the driven shaft betweenpredetermined limits.

l further desire to provide a device of the charac er noted with meanswhereby, after said device has been adjusted to reduce the speed of thedriven shaft to a minimum, said two shafts may be operat-ivelydisconnected and nmintained in such condition until they have beenreleased therefrom by the operator.

Another object of my invention is to provide variable speed mechanismparticularly adapter tor uson a lathe or other machine tool, either withor without means whereby it may be automatically actuated to vary thespeed of the driving shaft of the lathe as a cutting tool is movedinwardly or outwardly.

These objects and other sidvantageous ends I secure as hereinafter setforth, reference beinghad to the accon ipanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1, is a vertical section of a portion of a. lathe, illustratingmy invention as applied thereto: Fig. 2, is an end elevation of myimproved speed changing mechanism, illustrating it as arranged to beoperated by band; Fig. 3, is a vertical section taken on the line 3-3,Fig. 2; Fig. 4, is a horizontal section taken on the line 4-4, Fig. 2,Fig. 5, is an end "elevation illustrating a. possible modification of myspeed changing mechanism, and Fig. 6, is a side elevation of a specialform of my invention.

1n the above drawings, A and A represents the two parts of a casinginclos'ing and serving to support the parts comprising my in oppositeends of the casing and projecting invention; there being in the samebearings for a. driving shaft B and a driven shaft C. In addition. thereis a third shaft D, preferably square in section, which is carried upona pair of arms (1 fixed res ectively to shortshafts or spindles a1 and 5journaled through the same. A yoke-shaped piece (I having a handle d,has its arms keyed or otherwise fixed to the spindles d and (1respectively so that as it is moved, said spindles cause the two arms (Iwith their shaft D to swing inside of the casing.

The shaft B has a squared portion 6 upon which are mounted a number ofmetallic disks b decreasing in thickness outwardly from points adjacentto the shaft toward their peripheries. At the respective ends of thisseries of plates there-are mounted on the shaft two relatively heavylates b and 6 of which one abuts upon a co lar I) fixed on the shaft B,and the other is ext-ended to form an elongated collar b upon which iscarried a spiral spring I)". The end of the shaft B adj aceutto saidspring is hollow and has within ita-slidable rod e connected by a pin 6'with the sleeve portion 17 of the plate b the shaft B being slotted, asshown, to permit the rod 6 and its pin 6 to move longitudinallyindependently of it. The outer end of said rod is slotted for thereception of a pivotally mounted pawl 5 which at one end is continuallypressed outward by a spring e while its opposite end is formed to beengaged by a l0n gitudinally movable bolt e. The adjacent ends of saidbolt and pawl are so formed that when the bolt is pushed inwardly it.causes the pawl to turn on its pivot and thereby move its opposite endcompletely into the slot of the rod e against. the action of the springe it. being held in such position until such time as the bolt. e isagain moved outward. The shaft B is slotted adjacent to the end of thelong arm of the pawl e so that when the rod e hasbeen moved to itsextreme right hand position, said pawl may enter this slot; the variousparts occupying the relative positions shown in Fig. 3.

Screwed or otherwise fastened to the shaft, B a collar or collars I) andconfined between this and the plate 5 is a relatively strong spiralspring I) tending to force said late and-its disks 11 toward the plateI).

he shaft C carries a fixed and a movable plate indicated respectively atc and c; bemg squared to receive a series of disks a mounted betweenthese plates, which disks are, like the disks 5, of decreasing thicknessfrom their centers to their peripheries. The collar or collars c serveas an abutment for a.

spring 0, which in part rests upon a sleevev section of, in the resentinstance formed integral with the p atcc so as to continually necte'dfrom t frirce said plate and the dis (s 0" toward the :itee.

i The bodily movable shaft D carries two sets of disks (1 and (ipreferably of uniform thickness from periphery to center, which thoughfree to move longitudinally on the shaft, are compelled to turntherewith. The first of these sets of disks (1 is intended to fit at alltimes between the disks 6, while the disks (7 are similarly so placed asat all times i to fit between the (UL {S c it being noted from Figs. 1and 2 that the depth of engagement of the disks (1 and d with the othertwo series of disks ma be varied, as desired, by means of the handle cl.

linder operating conditions, with the disks in the positions indicatedin Fig. 2, if power he applied to the shaft B, it will be seen that theshaft. is driven at a minimum speed, the reason for this being that thedisks 1) are ongaged by the disks (1 at points relatively near thecenters of the former disks, so that said disks are driven at a slowspeed. As

-a. consequence. the disks (1 drive tne disks 6 at practically the samespeed as the disks (1 since they engage these disks on the shaft C atpoints relativel near their peripheries and the diameters of c and d areequal. If, now, the handle (1 be moved in the direction of the arrow, itwill be seen that the shaft C is speeded up for the reason that thedisks 0! engage portions of the disks 1/ farther from the shaft B andtherefore moveit at a higher" velocity. In addition, the point ofengagement (if the d sks (1 with the disks 0 is moved to ird ta! shaft Cand for this reason also the speed of said shaft is increased. Suchincreases of speed continues as the handle with its arms is swung on thespindles d and d while a reverse act-ion takes place as said handle ismoved back in a direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow.

It will be noted that the forcing of the flat disks d between thedisks 1) compresses the spring I) because of the increased separation ofsaid latter disks and the sliding outwardly of the )late I). As a resultof this action, when the handle d* has been moved to the oosition ofminimum s ?ed the sleeve 12 carries with it the pin e and the bolt e tosuch position that the end of the pawl c s rings outward into tire slotin shaft B, so t lat, if the handle d be. moved bu: a very shortdistance in the direction of the arrow, the l'at plat-es d areo'mratively refeased or disconlie disks 1). The plate 6 is thereforemaintained in its outerinost posi tion, and there is, consetplently, noforce tending to move the late-:5 b mtoengagement with the plates Itwill be understood by those skilled in the art that this device isparticularly use-fit.

.wheu employed. on i'unehiud tools, for by t the speed may tirst. belowered from a maxi;

mum to a minimum,and the part driven finally brought to a complete stopwhile the various parts are'inoving at minimum speed.

In oroer to again place the device in operative condition it 18 onlynecessary to move the handle d for a sli ht distance in a directionopposite to that of the arrow in Fig. 2, so as to some extent relievethe pressure 071 the pawl 6, after which the pin e may be forcedinwardlv, so as to free the rod 2 and the plate 71 frdni the shaft B andagain per- 75 mit the disks 1) to operatively engage the disks (i Inemploying my invention in connection with a lathe. I may, if desired,rovide it with an automatic attachment wiereby, as 0 the cutting toolapproaches the axis of revolution of the work operated on, said work is'speeded up in order that the tool may continue to cut at its fullcapacity. F or this purpose I arrange the parts as shown in Fig. 35

1, in which G is the frame of a lathe having a. tool carriage g and acutting tool 9. In any suitable position upon the lathe frame I supportmy impi oved speed changing mechanism, driving the shaft B from andesired source of power and so placing the shaft C so that it is in linewith the line center of the lathe. To one of the spindles as d, I attachan arm d and connect this by a link d toan arm 9 fixed to the shaft 9Said shaft is provided with a second arm 9 connected by a link 57" tothe tool carriage g in such manner that as said carriage is fed towardthe axis of revolution of the work operated on by the lat-he, the arm 9"rauses't \e shaft 9" to be turned, thereby also swinging the arm 9* andautomatically causing speeding up of the driven shaft- C. As aconsequence, the work is turned at. a higher speed as the toolapproaches the axis of revolution of said work and the tool may therebybe compelled to operate at its full capacity.

If desired, I may construct a special form of mv invention as shown inFig. 5, in which, in p shaft D and the disks e'-' on the shaft t, lmount on said shaft 1) a. pinion It in such manneras to mesh with a gearl1 lined to the shaft C. As a consequence, when the disks d are movedtoward the center of the shaft 1 ,5

B into tngagement with the disks lr'. the s ecd of the shaft C is cutdown. while. if t e shaft 1) be swung on the shaft as an axis away fromthe. shaft B. the speed of said shaft (1 is increased. I employ on eachof the two shafts l) and l) a series of disks, of which one series isthrust together by a spring, while the disks (I? are so supported on theshaft l) that they are ccmpe to move longittulinaliy.

Ielaim:

1. Variable speed mechanism including two shafts. 'one shaft having suporting means whereby it is free in be adjusted y.

lace of the second set of disks on the In all) (use. however,

led to turn therewith while being free 12.3

toward and from the other'shaft. a series of one of the other shafts,and the second series disks carried on each shaft so as to be compell dto turn thcrcwith. the disks of one "l'i(5 ea h having their facesparallel and those of the ntlzn" tries each increasing in thickness ft".1: L110 periphery toward the center, the shafts being placed to permitof the disks of one series engaging those of the other. and fitted tothe disks so as to at all times maintain them parallel to each other,and a spring tending to force together the disks of one of said series,substantially as described.

2. The combination of three shafts, means for supporting one of saidshafts so that it is movable toward and f om another of said shafts.said movable shaft and another of said shafts having each a series ofdisks placed to respectively engage each other, each series of disksbeing mounted on its supporting shaft. so as to be compelled to turntherewith, means for yieldingly pressing together the disks of oneseries, and means independent. of said two series of disks fortransmitting power from the movable shaft to the third shaft,substantially as described.

3.'The combination of three shafts, sup pprting means for said shaftsincluding a dc- VK'O'OH which one of the shafts. is. mounted so as to headjustable toward and from the other. shafts, two of the shafts beingeach provided with a series of disks mounted so as to be compelled toturn with it, and the adjustable shaft having two series. of disksmounted to transmit power from one series to the other. one series beingcapable of engaging'the disks of one shaft, and the other being capable.of engaging the disks of the other shaft. with means for yieldinglypressing together the respective series of disks on the two fixedshafts, substantially as described.

4. The combination of two shafts, each having a series of disks mountedso as to revolve with it" but free to move longitudinally thereon, athird shaft, adjustable supporting means for said third-shaft whereby itmay be moved toward and from one of the shafts, two series of diskscarried on the adjustable shaftso as to be driven one from u e other butf rec to move toward and from each other, said "adjustable shaft havingits disks respectively engaged by the disks of the other two shafts,with means for yieldingly pressing together the disks of each series onsaid latter-shaf ts, substantially as described.

5. lhe combination of three shafts, fixed bearings for two of theshafts, a series of tapering disks on each of said latter shafts, meansfor supporting the third shaft so that it is free to move toward andfrom the other shafts, two series of )lane disks mounted on the thirdshaft, and arranged so that one scries'is drivenby the other, one-"Zitf:$ of disksof the third shaft engaging the disks of of isks onsaid third shaft engaging the dis of the remaining shaft, and springsfor n'essing together the disks of the two fixed shafts. sul,=stantiallv as described.

6. The combination of two shafts, a. plu-' rality of disks on each shaftrespectively engaging each other, a spring tending to press together thedisks on one shaft, with automatically acting means for rendering thespring temporarily inactive. under predetermined conditions,substantially as described.

7. The combination of two shafts, a series of disks mounted on eachshaft, said series of disks respectively engaging each other. with aspring tending to press together the disks of one series. means forvarying the depth of engagement of the disks of the two scrifs. andautomatically act ng means for rendering said spring temporarilyinactive when the disks acted on by itare moved av predetermineddistance apart, substantially as described.

8. The cdmbination of two shafts. a series 'of disks mounted on eachshaft, and respectively engaging each other, a spring-tend ng to presstogether the disks of one series, means for varying the depth ofengagement of the disks of the two series, and automatically actingmeans for holding said spring temporarily inactive when the disks of one-series are engaged to a. maximum depth by those of the other series,substantially as described.

9. The combination of two shafts, of which one is provided with fixedbearings and the other is mounted so as to he movable toward and fromthe first shaft. a series of disks on each shaft and revolubletherewith, the disks of each series engaging each other. means ,foryieldingly pressing together the disks of one of the series, means formoving the adjustable shafttoward and from the first shaft to varv thedepth of engagementof the disks, and automatic means for rcn. dering thepressing means temporarily inactiv, when said adjust-able shaft has beenmoved a predetermined distance toward the first shaft, substantially asdescribed.

10; The combination of two shafts. of which one is provided withbearings and the other is mounted so as to be movable toward and fromthe other, a series of disks on each shaft and revoluble therewith, thedisks of each series engaging each other, means for yieldingly pressingtogether the disks of one of the series, means for adjusting the movableshaft toward and from the first shaft to vary the depth of engagement ofthe. disks, automatic means for rendering the pressing means temporarilyinactive, and a hand operated releasing device for said means,substantially as described;

11. The combination of two shafts fixed relatively to each other, athird shaft mounted so as to bomovable toward and from the the shafts,with a series of disks on each of the fixed shafts so mounted as to berev oluhle therewith, means for yieldinglypress ing together the disksof each series. tweseries of disks mounted on the third shaft andoperativeli-"ciamected to transmitpower one to the other, the disks ofsaid series respectively engaging with the two series of disk: on thefixed shafts, with a device .for automatically rendering inactive one ofthe said yielding disk pressing means, substantially as described.

12. The combination of two shafts fixed relatively to each-other, athird shaft mount ed so as to be movable toward and from one of theshafts, with a series of diskson each of the fixed shafts so mounted tobe. revoluble therewith, means for \'icldingl \"pressing together thedisks of ach series, two series of disks mounted on the third shaft soas to be rcvoluble therewith, the disks of said series respectivelyeiigaging with the two series of disks on the fixed shafts, means formoving. the adjustable shaft to vary the depth of engagement of itsdisks with the other series of disks, and a device for renderinginactive one of the springs when the disks of its shal't have beenseparated to a maximum extent. substantially as described.

13. The combination of two shafts, means for one shaft whereby itsdistance from the other shaft may be adjusted, two series of diskrespcctivclv carried on said shafts so as to be rcvoiubie therewith, thedisks'of one series engaging those of the other series so as toalternate illtl(r\;itli, a spring for pressing,

together the disks of one oi the series, an automatically acting pawlcarried by the shaft having the spring and capable of rendering I saidspring inactive when its series of disks are separated to a maximumextent, and a. belt for releasing said pawl, substantially as described.V

H. The combination of a casing. two shafts ha ing bearings therein, aseries of separable d' s for each shaft yieldingly pressed to :LtilQIand compelled to revolve with their respective shafts, an arm or armspivotally mounted on the casing, a. third shaftcarried thereby, twoseries of disks mounted on said third shaftconnected to transmit powerone to the other, and means for swinging said sheit supporting armor-arms on its support 7 pivot to cause the disks of said shaft toengage the disks on the other shaft. to varyin; depths, substantially asdescribed.

its having bearings therein, a series of ,seg' arahle disks for eachshaft Jn-ldmgly or sscd together and compelled to revolve with theirrespective shafts, an arm or arms pivotally mounted on the casing, athird shaft carried thereby, -two series of disks mounted on said thirdshaft so as to revolve therewith, with automatically operating means forswinging said shaft supporting arm or arms on its supporting pivot tocause the dis s on said shaft to engage the disks on the ether shaft tovarying depths, substantially as described.

in testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specifioation, inthe presence of Wu subscribing witnesses.

' THOMAS C. DILL.

EYitnesse \VILLIAM E. BRADLEY,

WM. A. BARR.

. The combination of' a. casing, two'

